Class Notes for the Day: |
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Starter: What are the five different methods of the death penalty that are still used in the U.S.?
1.How accurate was your prediction?
2.What surprised you about this information?
3.Do you think that this information would surprise most Americans?
4.Which of the methods of administering the death penalty do you find the most gruesome?
5.Why are so many different methods of execution used in the US?
6.What geographical patterns do you notice in the map of the U.S.?
7.What are two consequences of the U.S. having the death penalty?
8.Is this information good news or bad news?
9.Most economically advanced countries no longer allow capital punishment. The U.S. does, and after China, Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, is the top executioner in the world. Why do you think that is?
10.Does this information in any way affect your opinion regarding the death penalty?
11.One writer has argued that the death penalty should only be legal if the jurors that vote for it are willing to carry out the execution themselves. React to this proposal.
Introduction: Life Terms
All federal judges in the United States serve life terms. Do you think it is a good idea to keep the judicial branch so far removed from public opinion?
Supreme Court 2019
There is a proposal to cap the age of Supreme Court justices at 70, with a grandfather clause for current members. Explain your opinion of this proposal. How would the Court act differently?
Word of the Day
Judicial Review
- Define it.
- Use it in a sentence.
- Does judicial review give the Supreme Court too much power? Consider that some of the most controversial issues in U.S. society (abortion, affirmative action, Obamacare, gay marriage, gun control) have been ultimately decided not by Congress or the president, but by SCOTUS. Also consider that popular policies such as the line-item veto and congressional term limits have been overturned by the courts, while extremely unpopular actions such as animal sacrifice and the right of neo-Nazis to hold rallies have been protected.
Selection of Judges
Let's a take a look at the factors a president considers when nominating a federal judge. Each of these factors becomes increasingly scrutinized when a position on the Supreme Court needs to be filled. They also must consider the likelihood of the nominee making it through the Senate, especially in a period of divided government.
Examine your factor here!
Examine your factor here!
Nominating Federal Judges
We will simulate what the judicial selection process looks like. 4 people will assume the identity of fictional court nominees selected by the president. Those people will use the provided resume to defend yourself in a confirmation hearing. The remainder of the class will take on the role of the Senate Judiciary Committee to question the nominees and ultimately vote to determine if they will be confirmed.
Resumes are here!
Resumes are here!
Closer: Explain how other branches of government can limit SCOTUS's power.
- Make a claim here!
- Support your claim with TWO pieces of accurate and relevant information.
- Use reasoning to explain why your evidence supports your claim.
- Respond to an opposing or alternative perspective.